tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43032140738727591342017-10-11T06:33:07.312-07:00Psychiatrist SingaporeSingapore Psychiatrist / Psychiatrist Singapore Blog by Dr Lim Boon Leng. Learn about best recommendations by psychiatrist on depression, anxiety, stress and others. <a href="http://www.psywellness.com.sg/contact-us.html">Call <b>64796456</b></a> | Email: <b>info@psywellness.com.sg</b> | Web: <a href="http://www.psywellness.com.sg">www.psywellness.com.sg</a>Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-79499778429894357292017-10-11T06:33:00.000-07:002017-10-11T06:33:07.329-07:00Question of the Week: Telltale Signs of Autism?What is Autism?
Autism or Autistic Spectrum Disorder as it is formally known, is a neurodevelopmental disorder arising in childhood characterised by abnormal social communication and interaction and restricted, repetitive or stereotyped behaviour, interests. and activities.
What causes Autism?
The causes of Autism is unknown and are likely multifactorial in nature. Research suggests that Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-19888012101284366962017-09-25T06:29:00.000-07:002017-09-25T06:29:03.077-07:00Social Media Addiction Q and A Part 2Are there any trends in the way social media addiction occurs or presents itself?
The underlying behavioral addiction symptoms and profile of patients remains the same but the apps or websites addicted to changes with time and fad. Social media addiction is now more associated to the use of smartphones than the personal computer.
What health problems can social media addiction cause?
The main Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-67914757317369550722017-09-18T06:26:00.001-07:002017-09-18T06:26:54.298-07:00Social Media Addiction Q and A. Part 1
Are such social media addiction cases on the rise in comparison to previous years? If so, what is the increase?
The numbers have been quite similar in the past two to three years. It became more of an issue since smart phone usage proliferated.
Do you think this is an issue that is set to grow bigger?
Before it was mainly Facebook, but now there is Instagram, Snapchat etc.
Internet and socialBoon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-46877803898089211722016-08-31T17:25:00.000-07:002016-08-31T17:25:01.492-07:00Question of the Week (31st August 2016)
From your expert perspective, at what age is it deemed OK for parents to leave their child at home alone?
It is difficult to define a specific age as children vary in their development and maturity. Pre-schoolers and those under 10 years of age must not be allowed to stay alone at home. Beyond ten, it becomes controversial. In the legislation of some foreign jurisdiction, children up to 15 Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comDr BL Lim Centre For Psychological Wellness (Psychiatrist Singapore), Singapore1.3553794 103.867744399999990.8474084 103.22229739999999 1.8633503999999999 104.5131914tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-56095273939742492502016-08-23T02:06:00.000-07:002016-08-23T02:06:03.445-07:00Post Natal Depression, Q and A. Part 2
Q3: Often, men (dads) seemed to be neglected in the equation of achieving parenting (psycho-emotional) wellness. Why is that so – is it true that they are less susceptible to post-natal and parenting blues?
Post-natal blues by definition pertains only to mums. However, while less likely than mums, dads are vulnerable to parenting blues or even depression. In general, due to societal Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-16003898393996919942016-08-16T02:04:00.000-07:002016-08-16T02:04:02.427-07:00Post Natal Depression, Q and A. Part 1
Q1: Why do parents suffer from parenting fears, post-natal or parenting blues?
As with most psychological conditions, exact causes are not known. However, we can understand the reasons from biological, psychological and social cultural factors. Some individuals may be genetically vulnerable to having these conditions and there may be a family history.
After pregnancy, there is also a Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-47935255931831010572016-08-13T02:01:00.000-07:002016-08-25T17:30:04.216-07:00Question of the Week (13 August 2016)
Question: Please share your opinion on the psychological benefits that spending in the outdoors can give to - babies, toddler, children and the family.
For children, even at an infant stage, playing is the main way of which they learn social interactions and other skills necessary for normal development. Outdoor activities are an important aspect of play. Outdoor activities allow for the Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comDr BL Lim Centre For Psychological Wellness (Psychiatrist Singapore), Singapore-5.9657536710655235 101.953125-21.999351171065523 81.298828 10.067843828934475 122.607422tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-64783798824297998072016-02-11T15:59:00.000-08:002016-02-11T15:59:07.321-08:00Bipolar Disorder FAQs Part 38. What new treatments/ medications are currently available for this group of patients, and how do the medications work to help patients alleviate symptoms? I read a new study which say that antidepressants may in fact, worsen episodes of mania in this group of patients. See link. What is your take on this?
The main stay of treatment for Bipolar Disorder are mood stabilisers which include Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comSingapore1.352083 103.819836000000010.8441055 103.174389 1.8600605 104.46528300000001tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-66110821800314417252016-01-28T15:57:00.000-08:002016-01-28T15:57:01.652-08:00Bipolar Disorder FAQs Part 2 4. Some women experience mood swings, for instance, during certain times of their menstrual cycle. When are "mood swings" not considered normal, and may warrant medical attention?
Many women may notice that they have dysphoric or irritable mood before and during their period, These mood changes are often described as mood swings. These mood swings are generally unrelated to Bipolar Disorder asBoon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-51709189874745837322016-01-21T15:55:00.000-08:002016-01-21T15:55:03.322-08:00Bipolar Disorder FAQs Part 11. At what age does bipolar disorder typically surface, and why?
It typically surfaces during early adulthood, usually in the 20s. This is attributed to the natural history of the illness and the real reason is not known.
2. What are symptoms of bipolar disorder, and how are they different from depression? (I understand that bipolar patients experience periods of low moods too, so how to Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-84055023774872765142015-12-17T03:41:00.000-08:002015-12-17T03:41:00.486-08:00How to get along with your in-laws before and after the wedding.My interview with Her World with regards to:
How to get along with your in-laws before and after the wedding
Read it here.
Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-91372603245324680192015-12-13T03:26:00.001-08:002015-12-13T03:27:21.059-08:00Methylphenidate (Stimulant Medication For ADHD): 4 Points to Note From a Recent Review A recent systematic review of 185 randomised controlled trials of methylphenidate, "Benefits and harms of methylphenidate for children and adolescents with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)", found that:
1) Methylphenidate can improve some of the core symptoms of ADHD – reducing hyperactivity and impulsivity, and helping children to concentrate.
2) Methylphenidate can also help Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-33960861923495153902015-12-05T16:37:00.000-08:002015-12-13T03:28:22.625-08:00Bipolar Disorder: Interview with Today NewspaperI was recently interviewed with regards to Bipolar Disorder together with Dr Mok Yee Ming of IMH. You can read the article from this link.
Bipolar Disorder is a debilitating and chronic (long term) illness. Nevertheless, sufferers can lead a completely normal life with medications and treatment. Early treatment will give you the best outcome.
Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-61816065063382626782015-12-03T17:10:00.000-08:002015-12-03T17:10:00.495-08:00Question of the week (7 December 2015)
"I know I should take better care of myself but I am still young so I don't have to worry about my diet, sleeping habits, exercise, etc"
When we are young, we tend to live in denial of our mortality and as a result, we erroneously think that we can abuse our body with unhealthy diets, late nights, work stress and inadequate rest. Not only do we wear our bodies out earlier with these bad Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-32743765921527563792015-11-30T00:31:00.000-08:002015-11-30T00:31:00.074-08:00ADHD in Children: FAQ Part 4Some health magazines say that specific types of food (including additives) have been shown to cause or worsen ADHD symptoms. If this is true, what are some foods that parents should avoid in their child’s diet?
Again this has never been proven. However, anecdotally, parents do notice that some children have increased hyperactive behaviour when given sweets and excessive sugar, what we call theBoon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-80916461346719070212015-11-26T00:27:00.000-08:002015-11-26T00:27:00.172-08:00ADHD in Children: FAQ Part 3- What causes ADHD?
The exact causes of ADHD are still not fully understood. However, it is likely to be due to a number of factors coming together. We know that ADHD can be inherited and that the genes controlling the chemicals or neurotransmitters in the brain are different in those with ADHD.
- What are common symptoms that parents can look for to identify that their child has ADHD?
ThereBoon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-44130629991583296842015-11-18T17:08:00.003-08:002015-11-18T17:08:44.374-08:00Question of the week (19 November 2015)
"I have trouble falling asleep at night and as a result I feel tired in the mornings. This leaves me feeling sluggish and unproductive during the day. What can I do?"
Many do not realise that waking up well is as important as falling asleep to prevent insomnia. If you allow a lousy night of sleep to upset you the next morning such that you stay in bed, refuse to exercise and give yourselfBoon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-40222809588787598822015-11-15T00:13:00.000-08:002015-11-15T00:13:00.896-08:00FAQ: Physical Punishment in Children
What age is deemed appropriate when it comes to disciplining a child (toddlers included)?
Discipline should start as early as 8 months. This can be a simple "no" for example when the baby plays with the remote control. However, the baby should also be praised if he obeys the instructions.
Are there any benefits to using physical punishment (caning or a smack on the bottom/Palm) on a Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-37327038720807430542015-11-12T00:11:00.004-08:002015-11-12T00:15:28.631-08:00Fears in Children: 4 Questions Answered
Q: How should a parent help a child cope with his/her fear of the dark, bad dreams, clowns and strangers?
Generally mild fears and simple phobias can be ignored if they are not affecting the life of the child to a huge extent. They are usually a passing phase and the child will slowly get better as he matures. Parents should remain calm and not be frustrated with these. Most importantly, do Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-11241070771296880742015-03-31T01:32:00.000-07:002015-03-31T01:32:00.266-07:00Four Differences Between Depression and BurnoutMany a times, clinical depression can be triggered by stresses at work. It is no wonder that people often wonder what the differences are between depression and burnout from work.
1. Depression, A Diagnosis. Burnout, A Description
The greatest difference is that clinical depression / major depressive disorder is a formal psychiatric diagnosis whilst burnout is a description of one's feelings Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-29910615489325236442014-11-10T17:33:00.005-08:002014-11-10T17:33:41.166-08:00Bulimia Nervosa FAQBulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by cycles of binge eating and purging, or consuming a large amount of food in a short amount of time followed by an attempt to rid oneself of the food consumed (purging), typically by vomiting, taking a laxative, diuretic, or stimulant, and/or excessive exercise, because of an extensive concern for body weight.
What are the common reasons for Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-221431967961618782014-05-13T22:59:00.002-07:002015-11-12T00:16:13.155-08:00Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder (ADHD / ADD) Medications Cheatsheet
The use of medications revolutionised the treatment of ADHD /ADD. Today, international consensus often recommends medication as the first line of treatment for ADHD / ADD in patients above the age of 6 years of age. You can visit the following sites for more details:
i) Symptoms of ADHD /ADD
ii) CDC (USA) Guidelines and Recommendations
Medications for ADHD / ADD can be categorised as:
Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-19251161290595328512014-03-21T19:32:00.001-07:002014-03-21T19:32:40.411-07:002014 Customer Service Award
Dr BL Lim Centre for Psychological Wellness is pleased to announce that our clinic has been awarded the 2014 Customer Service Award from WhatClinic.com.
It is our mission to strive to provide the best patient care possible and to always remember our motto of "Patients First, Always".Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-45137334771998354032014-01-01T19:50:00.000-08:002014-01-01T19:50:35.365-08:005 Tips On How To Keep Your New Year ResolutionsToday is the fist working day for the new year and Happy 2014 to all. The festive mood is still lingering and it is normal to feel somewhat lethargic in starting work. You may also notice how you can't help but continue to write down the year as 2013 for your dates.
Habits are not something easy to change and I have a few tips here to help you stick to your new year resolutions what ever they Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4303214073872759134.post-83143729537143225582013-12-24T17:42:00.003-08:002013-12-24T17:42:16.984-08:00Merry Christmas (2013)!A Merry Merry Christmas to all!
Boon Leng Limhttps://plus.google.com/104787291625244166894noreply@blogger.com